by Don Ruhl

Read Second Corinthians 12

Paul

4 ...was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter (2 Corinthians 12:4, NKJV),

or as the NIV says, man is not permitted to tell.

What did Paul hear? Why are the words inexpressible? Why was he not permitted to tell what he heard? Why was he able to hear them? How did he contain himself and not tell anyone?

God has revealed enough knowledge. We have a hard enough time just trying to learn and comprehend what He has already revealed. What would happen to our minds, if He revealed twice as much? We could not handle it. Yet, He allowed Paul to hear some things, but then restrict him to show us that there is so much more. My desire to hear what Paul heard is strong enough that I want to go to Paradise and hear the same thing. O' when shall that day be?

Paul's self-discipline and self-control in following the Lord Jesus Christ enabled him not to utter the words. May God grant to each of us the same self-discipline and self-control so that we may keep secret what needs to be secret and that we may be just like our Master Jesus Christ, enabling us to be with Him and to hear those words.

by Don Ruhl

Read Second Corinthians Chapter Ten

What do we gain if we compare ourselves with others? People often justify themselves or excuse their behavior, because I am better than... Okay, that might be true or it might not be true that you are better than the other person is. Are you better than every human on the earth is? If we are going to compare ourselves with others, then that is what we had better do, because we truly ought to be comparing ourselves with Jesus Christ, who is better than the entire world combined. Therefore, it is written,

12 For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise (2 Corinthians 10:12, NKJV).

Many things can go wrong when we compare ourselves with others. Why do it then? When we compare ourselves with Jesus Christ, we discover that we fall short of his glory and that we need his forgiveness. He is our Master and Teacher, not some man or woman with whom we are comparing ourselves.

Keep Jesus Christ as the focus of your life.

by Don Ruhl

Read Second Corinthians 11:1-15

Only heaven itself knows of the influence that Paul has all over the world centuries after he left the earth. Yet, listen to what the Holy Spirit allowed Paul to say truthfully about himself as a speaker (and remember that he was a preacher).

6 I may not be a trained speaker, but I do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way (2 Corinthians 11:6, NIV).

Paul knew what he was speaking or writing about, but he was not the best speaker. That did not stop him from working for Christ, and it did not stop the Lord from using Paul. You know something; Moses had the same problem, but look at what he did for Israel and ultimately for the world! Now, what about you; can the Lord use you in spite of your deficiencies?

by Don Ruhl

Read Second Corinthians Chapter Eight

Why does one church give liberally and another is stingy? It has nothing to do with the financial resources of the church! I remember that in the 1980s there was a severe drought in California. Christians in Nigeria heard of the drought and wanted to help! Imagine that! People from one of the poorer nations on earth wanted to help not only one of the richest nations on earth, but one of the richest states in that nation!

I know of churches now that are poor, but they are liberal in doing good works, and I know of other churches that have plenty of financial reserves, but hold on to their money.

Second Corinthians 8:1,2 shows what moves a church to give, regardless of its financial resources or lack of resources.

1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality (2 Corinthians 8:1,2, NKJV).

Paul continues to reveal that this poor church even begged him to be able to help in a certain work. It must be that he told them they needed the help, but they wanted to help others!

You see, the grace of God has been bestowed on all, but few are touched by it. These brethren saw the grace of God, and, although they were experiencing great trials of affliction and were poor, they had overflowing joy, which translated into abundant liberality, making them rich indeed.

If we want to do something, regardless of our circumstances, we will do it. If we want to contribute to something, regardless of our circumstances, we will do it.

by Don Ruhl

Read Proverbs 22-24

Solomon said,

10 If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small. (Proverbs 24:10, NKJV).

Yet, from the time I became a Christian, I have heard many Christians declare that God should not let us suffer! They are already fainting before the day of adversity even arrives! If Jesus Christ our Lord, the only perfect and innocent one, was not exempt from suffering, why do we think we should be?

Tough times will come. Rather than wishing that they never would, we do better to prepare for them.